Here's what a casual movie-goer on one of my rock-band forums had to say:

Quote:

I saw it yesterday, and it's a damn good movie. My daughter didn't care for it, but she didn't grow up in the time of DC comics and when Superman was a child's hero. They sure picked the right guy for the role. Actually, I thought the casting was terrific, right down to Laurence Fishburn as Perry White.

I enjoyed getting to see the back story, and was really glad to see a real action packed drama, instead of the semi-cheesy way they did it with Christopher Reeve.

Saw MOS a few days ago. Really liked it! Thought it was cast very well. Love Amy Adams as Lois Lane. Liked a darker story SO much more than the cheesier, tongue and cheek kind if Superman movies of the past. Look toward to a sequel!

A couple of weeks after seeing the movie, I think I thought about it enough to give my two cents.

It's not a great movie, but I don't think it was bad at all. I had some issues with pacing, the score could've elevated the movie instead of just being there, and while it's not as grim as the first few trailers made it look, it could've stood to be a little less dour... but the cast, combined with some strong moments of characterization (such as the "You are my son!" bit ), makes up for its missteps.

I think that poster means that many of us were used to the classic Pa Kent who helped Clark to find his way of doing good. Costner's version, as well acted as i think it is, literally discouraged his son of doing so all he could. first, questioning the notion that saving people is more important and then dying so Clark wouldn't expose his powers, which most Smallville knew anyways.

I agree that exposing his powers would be dangerous for him and his loved ones, but that's why he starts saving people without showing his face (I'm talking about the Byrne version).

Plus, and what's most important. I can't remember how Pa Kent's death affected Clark. All we know is that he wanders towards north saving people and showing his face (although with a beard). I can't see what was the repercussion in Clark's life.

With a father that tells him it's ok to let a busload of kids die and being able to decide who lives and dies, seemingly without consequence. Yeah I saw the movie and yes I think that's cruel.

It wasn't though? I think it would be naive to say "Pa Kent told him not to use his powers purely because the world wasn't ready". I would assume the implication is that Clark and his wellbeing were so important to Pa Kent that he would rather Clark not save anyone and be spared the probable discrimination he would suffer if people discovered his gifts.

At no point did I think Pa Kent condoned the deaths of innocents, what he was saying was "If I was forced to choose between you saving them and being persecuted or them dying and you being safe, I'd rather you were safe".

That's what I got from it anyway, it might be a bit of an oversimplification to make it out like these things didn't affect Clark.

I think that poster means that many of us were used to the classic Pa Kent who helped Clark to find his way of doing good. Costner's version, as well acted as i think it is, literally discouraged his son of doing so all he could. first, questioning the notion that saving people is more important and then dying so Clark wouldn't expose his powers, which most Smallville knew anyways.

So let's say you have an alien boy as a son, do you teach him "just go ahead and unleash yourself all the time Clark, the world is really understanding of this sort of thing, get ready for the talk show circuit with Ellen and Oprah".

I mean seriously, no parent is prepared for this, and they did what they thought they should and that shone throughout the film and underpinned all of his subsequent actions, even to the very easy acceptance of his heritage when talking to Jor-El. He was so willing to fall into the first answer he got because he never had any ones before.

It wasn't though? I think it would be naive to say "Pa Kent told him not to use his powers purely because the world wasn't ready". I would assume the implication is that Clark and his wellbeing were so important to Pa Kent that he would rather Clark not save anyone and be spared the probable discrimination he would suffer if people discovered his gifts.

At no point did I think Pa Kent condoned the deaths of innocents, what he was saying was "If I was forced to choose between you saving them and being persecuted or them dying and you being safe, I'd rather you were safe".

That's what I got from it anyway, it might be a bit of an oversimplification to make it out like these things didn't affect Clark.

I think Jon Kent in his mind here was saying "perhaps this was their fate" as a sort of way of justifying the consistent message he had been given Clark. Costner delivered that in a such a way that he he knew he was saying the wrong thing and was almost recanting it as he says it. He was a terrific bit of acting from Costner.

So let's say you have an alien boy as a son, do you teach him "just go ahead and unleash yourself all the time Clark, the world is really understanding of this sort of thing, get ready for the talk show circuit with Ellen and Oprah".

I mean seriously, no parent is prepared for this, and they did what they thought they should and that shone throughout the film and underpinned all of his subsequent actions, even to the very easy acceptance of his heritage when talking to Jor-El. He was so willing to fall into the first answer he got because he never had any ones before.

"Son, what you do is wonderful, but they cannot know you have these powers. You must find a way to help without being noticed." And you start the problem of how, which is later solved with the suit and the glasses.

But you didn't address the problem: Clark did reveal his powers by saving people anyways. So, where did Pa Kent's lesson go? What did his death change in Clark?

Clark was basically a Nomad. He kept traveling, and whenever he helped people, he didn't stick around. He was still keeping himself a secret from most of mankind, and everyone he saved, probably thought of him just as a miracle or guardian angel.

Clark was basically a Nomad. He kept traveling, and whenever he helped people, he didn't stick around. He was still keeping himself a secret from most of mankind, and everyone he saved, probably thought of him just as a miracle or guardian angel.

And yet it was thanks to the people he helped that Lois could get to his secret identity.

It was a matter of time before the rumor would start to spread anyways.

But still, nothing of this tells me what was the impact of Pa Kent's lessons and death.

I havenít given my review of Man of Steel so here goes. If giant walls of text are your kryptonite feel free to skip to the end :

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

The Good:

The cast was excellent. In fact, I think it is one of the better casts that have been put together for a comic book film. Out of the cast Henry Cavill was the real highlight for me. Thatís pretty impressive considering how talented everyone else actually is. Any Superman film can live or die on who it casts in the main role. I really got the impression that he cared a great deal about the role. He put his heart into it and it showed on screen.

Nothing will ever top John Williamís Superman theme but I LOVED Hans Zimmerís work on this film. Iíve been listening to the soundtrack A LOT. Seriously, Iím listening to it right now.

The Krypton scenes were really interesting. I loved that Jor-El was an action hero in his own right. It makes sense because you donít hire the guy who played Maximus to play a wimpy version of Supermanís dad.

Zod was more than a Saturday morning cartoon villain. They did a great job conveying why he did what he did. His whole reason for existing was protecting Krypton. After the planetís destruction he would do anythingÖ kill the entire human race, give up super powers, anything, to bring Krypton back. Shannonís speech towards the end was really terrific. In Zodís mind everything he did was for the good of his people. Way more unique than the typical science experiment went wrong and now this guyís a CRAZY VILLAIN!

Many of the scenes got an emotional reaction from me. Of note was the scene where Jonathan Kent tells young Clark that he isnít from Earth.

ďCan I just keep pretending Iím your son?Ē

ďYou are my son.Ē

Did you get a lump in your throat? I did. Also the scene where Superman and Lois are waiting for Zod to come take him away stood out.

ďIt didnít make much difference.Ē

ďIt did to me.Ē

It was a simple scene but it really brought to life what the character must have been feeling. He spent his whole life afraid that when people found out who he really was they would reject him. However, the first person that really finds out about him (outside of his parents) actually accepts him. Sheís even prepared to drop what would be a career defining story to protect him. Instead of recoiling in fear she draws closer with genuine care and concern. You can tell it means the world to him.

I think Amy Adams is awesome! Lois Lane was likable. It seems like one of the most difficult things to get right in a comic book film. Too often, the female lead is stuck in the thankless role of not understanding what the hero is going through, complaining, nagging and eventually annoying the audience. Lois played a meaningful role in the story beyond just getting rescued (and it was cool when she did get rescued). She got to be in on the action.

Speaking of action, this was by far my favorite aspect of the filmÖ THE ACTION! This movie featured some of the best action Iíve ever seen in a comic book film. When Superman and Zod were punching each other around all over the place, I couldnít hold back the smile. My inner seven year old was giddy. The film delivered the action this Superman fan has been waiting a lifetime to see.

The Bad:

I mentioned that great cast earlier. I donít think they took full advantage of their talents. For example, look at Amy Adams. Sheís great at humor and she wasnít given much to do in that regard. I also thought Michael Shannon could have been given more to work with.

The movie almost took itself too seriously. The humor that was there was pretty good but a little more wouldnít have hurt. For example, when Lois was escaping from the alien ship, following Jor-El, taking out Kryptonians with that ray gun thing, it would have been nice to hear her acknowledge how crazy the whole situation was.

The pacing was really off at points. I liked the idea of telling Supermanís story in a non-linear way. However, some of the cuts felt too abrupt to me and often there didnít seem to be time to breathe and take in what was happening.

I didnít like the way they killed Jonathan Kent. Pretty much the whole scene was awful to me. I think I understood what they were trying to convey but I just wish they found a different way to do it. Iím not comfortable with Clark Kent standing by and doing nothing when he could have saved his dad. Also, Iím pretty sure telling people to go under an overpass during a tornado is bad advice which makes the scene even more annoying to me. Kentís death was done WAY better in Superman: The Movie.

Having Superman show more concern for the safety of people in the midst of those jaw dropping action scenes would have been nice.

Superman killing isnít a deal breaker for me but I sympathize with other Superman fans who were devastated by it. For their sake I wish they would have gone a different route.

Conclusion:

I like the film. It isnít perfect but the good outweighs the bad for me. The last line from Lois is amongst my favorites in any comic book film. ďWelcome to the Planet.Ē

I give Man of Steel an 8 out of 10.

__________________"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it." -Atticus Finch

"Son, what you do is wonderful, but they cannot know you have these powers. You must find a way to help without being noticed." And you start the problem of how, which is later solved with the suit and the glasses.

But you didn't address the problem: Clark did reveal his powers by saving people anyways. So, where did Pa Kent's lesson go? What did his death change in Clark?

He fights his instincts. If it wasn't for Pa Kent, Clark would be out everyday looking for people to save; he would have made himself actively aware to the world a long time ago.

His lesson to Clark was basically that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Pa Kent believed that if the world knew about alien life, it could throw it into turmoil. Arms race, deterrents, religious wars, etc. He doesn't spell it out, but you get the gist. (I do wish that we got to see the world react more to Zod's arrival).

Kal learns this lesson eventually, shown by killing Zod. He doesn't want to kill, but does it because the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Krypton babies had to be destroyed. Zod had to be stopped.

I think the pacing was off which was probably just them trimming the editing down as much as they could to keep it "fast paced" MEH. I'd of preffered it to flow a bit different. It was good but STID was the best summer movie imo, that had the perfect pacing for me.

I don't see the point in giving movies whatever out of 10 it just seems really picky or things like getting ***ty at editing etc. I either like it, love it or don't. When people give films ratings like 9.5/10 you know that they are just too picky. RT, Red letter media, The hulk, harry knowles. I can't believe how people can just suck up to these ****** and believe their every word.